Apparatus for making stitchable articles, especially shoes substantially of fabric material and a method therefor

ABSTRACT

Components of stitchable material are color monitored, i.e., compared to ensure that they are the same color, and gauged or aligned prior to stitching the components together. The components, i.e., sections of shoe quarters are fed automatically from separate stacks thereof, photoelectrically color monitored while they are still separate, gauged and finally fed to a tandem sewing machine arrangement. If the components differ in color, or if only one component is fed from one stack, the components are automatically rejected.

[451 Apr. 10,1973

United States Patent [191 Beamish et al.

541 APPARATUS FOR MAKING [56] References Cited STITCHABLE ARTICLES, ESPECIALLY UNITED STATES PATENTS 119 I12 ll 222 an 22 W La mm J mm a" 'lmyn m k mmww O w TSH 27 6677 9999 111] WWQW l l 8511 9206 7 664 630 93 3333 Birchview Dr., Port Credit, Ontario; David Grieve Taylor,

29 Sanctbury p E -All N Kn 1 P1., Etobicoke, Ontario, both of 3,, ow es Canada [57] ABSTRACT Components of stitchable material are color moni- [22] Filed: June 14, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 152,583

tored, i.e., compared to ensure that they are the same color, and gauged or aligned prior to stitching the 3 F li ti 0] (reign App ca on Pnonty Dam components together. The components, 1.e., sections June 12, 1970 Canada."..............................

.08 of shoe quarters are fed automatically from separate stacks thereof, photoelectrically color monitored while they are still separate, gauged and finally fed to a tandem sewing machine arrangement. If the components differ in color, or if only one component is fed from one stack, the components are automatically rejected.

11 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures PATENTED 1 @1915 3,726,399

SHEET 0 1 [1F 10 FIGJ PATENTED APR 1 01975 SHEET UBUF 1O PATENTED APR 1 01915 SHEET an DF 1 BLADE FIG. 5

APPARATUS FOR MAKING STITCIIABLE ARTICLES, ESPECIALLY SHOES SUBSTANTIALLY OF FABRIC MATERIAL AND A METHOD THEREFOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION where the sections are gauged, i.e., aligned for sewing in a tandem sewing machine. If the sections are not properly matched, i.e., if they are not facing in the proper direction or if they are different colors, the sections are rejected prior to gauging.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART A shoe quarter, which forms the back, sides and part of the front of the upper of a finished shoe, is normally formed from two similarly shaped sections. The sections are normally cut out of a sheet of fabric, e.g., canvas or the like, using clicker dies.

The left and right quarter sections are then manually fed into a tandem sewing machine (commonly referred to as a heel seamer and undertaper) for sewing the sections together by forming seams, which ultimately appear on the back of the shoe. Before sewing, the sections must be properly aligned, with the outer surfaces of the fabric in face to face relationship. Normally, an operator is required to take the two sections of the quarter, which are usually fed face up and face down in pairs, check to ensure that the sections match, and feed them-precisely together into the first stitching operation, holding them with her thumb and forefinger until the stitch is properly started. A stock of mating sections are carried by the operator, and fed in pairs to the sewing machines.

In the tandem sewing machine, with the quarter sections in face to face relationship, a first seam is sewn along a line generally parallel to the back edges of the sections at a uniform margin of about one-tenth of an inch from the back edges and in a shape which conforms to the heel of the shoe. In a low shoe, e.g., tennis shoe, this first seam forms a single convex are. In a higher shoe, such as a basketball shoe, the first seam forms a convex arc over the lower or heel part of the shoe followed by a concave are describing the pattern of the ankle. After the making of the first scam, the two sections are turned outwards with their outer surfaces facing upwardly, whereby the two sections when laid out flat form a continuous surface. At the same time, the stiching margins underneath the sections are pressed flat against the inside surfaces of the sections, the folded edges are covered with a strip of soft fabric or tape, and two seams are formed parallel to the first seam, one on each side thereof to secure the tape to the inner surface of the quarter.

Thus, it is seen that hitherto the alignment and initial feeding of the quarter sections into the tandem sewing machine was a completely manual operation, which normally required a large number of operators. Therefore, the main disadvantage of the manual alignment and feeding of the quarter sections is the length of time required to make a large number of quarters.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION I An object of the present invention is to obviate the above disadvantage by providing an apparatus for automatically separating a pair of matching quarter sections from separate stacks of the sections, monitoring the quarter sections to ensure that they are color-matched, and gauging said quarter sections prior to feeding the sections into a sewing machine.

The above object is accomplished by providing an apparatus including a pair of stacking means for retaining two stacks of quarter sections to be joined; means for simultaneously separating one quarter section from each of said stacks; monitoring means for making a color comparison of a pair of sections separated from said stacks to ensure that said sections are properly oriented for gauging; gauging means for aligning said sections; means for feeding a pair of aligned sections to a sewing machine; and reject means for rejecting any sections if they are not properly matched.

It was decided that rather than carrying the the quarter sections to a sewing operation in mating pairs, the sections would be stamped out on clicker dies, alternately left and right, to make a stack of each section. The two stacks of quarter sections are then placed in separate stacking means, and a right and left section are simultaneously fed by a feeding device for monitoring, gauging and subsequent feeding to a sewing machine. When operating with two stacks of material, it is important that the two mating sections of each section be monitored to ensure that they match for color within tolerance to avoid the possibility that, in the stacking, if a run of black shoe was followed by a run of, e. g., red shoes, there would be no chance that due to an over-run, or shortage of one stack versus the other, that mis-matched sections would be stitched together, which would require scrapping of the quarter and would throw an entire lot of sections out of count. Therefore, the apparatus is provided with a photoelectric color monitor for making a color comparison, within set limits, of each pair of quarter sections prior to gauging and, if the sections do not match, they are rejected. Moreover, on a predetermined number of mismatches the machine will shut down.

By gauging is meant the alignment of the sections, i.e., accurate alignment of the edges of the quarter sections, with their outer surfaces in face to face relationship.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be defined in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a pair of quarter sections prior to joining;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first step in the joining of the quarter sections of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the frame of the apparatus of the present invention, with some of the elements thereof shown in phantom outline;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the top portion of the apparatus of FIG. 3, with parts omitted, and illustrating the manner in which the quarter sections are separated, conveyed and color monitored;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of one stacking device showing parts of a device for separating the quarter sections from a stack of sections;

FIG. 6 is a partly sectioned front view of the device for separating quarter sections, one at a time, from a stack of such sections;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view from the rear of the apparatus, showing a portion of the gauge and a mechanism for operating the gauge;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view, from the front of the apparatus, of feed device for engaging and feeding quarter sections to a sewing machine; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the quarter sections engaging means of FIG. 8.

FIGS. 10a to 10e together form a circuit diagram of the electrical circuit for controlling the apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With reference to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 and 2, the apparatus is intended to handle left and right matching quarter sections 1 and 2, whereby the two sections 1 and 2 become aligned with their outer surfaces 3 in face to face relationship. The aligned sections are fed into a tandem sewing machine (not shown) where a first seam is formed generally along the line 4 (see FIG. 2). As described in detail hereinafter, the reference points for alignment are the bottom and back edges 5 and 7 respectively of the quarter sections. The quarter sections 1 and 2, as supplied to the apparatus described hereinafter, each have a reinforcing strip 8 adjacent the front or lacing edge 9.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the apparatus includes a frame, generally indicated at 10, which is formed with a corner post .11 extending upwardly from adjacent one corner of a base plate 13. The post 11 includes a bottom section 15, the lower end 16 of which is welded to the base plate 13 and supported thereon by generally triangular ribs 17 spaced about the post 11. An upper section 19 of the post 11 is rotatably mounted on the bottom section for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the post 11. A work table in the form of a second plate 21 is securely mounted on the upper end of the post 11 for rotation with the upper section 19 of the post. Strengthening ribs 23 (only one shown) extend between the upper section 19 and the bottom surface of the plate 21. Inclined posts 25 extend upwardly and slightly outwardly from the corners of the plate 21 to brackets 26, in which four top posts 28 are provided with vertically aligned countersunk holes 30 for receiving set screws 31 in the horizontal arms 33 of the brackets 26, whereby the posts can be fixed at a convenient height vertically. The posts 28 support cross bars 35 on each side of the apparatus. A top plate 36 in the form of a shallow V is mounted on the cross bars 35. The top plate 36 is formed by two separate flat plates 38, the inner edges of which are interconnected by an intermediate V-shaped plate 39. The plate 39 is supported by a bracket 41 at the rear of the apparatus which is mounted on the upper end of an arrangement of posts and brackets similar to elements 25, 26 and 28. The corner posts 25 and the rear post 43 are interconnected by horizontal braces 44. For the most part, all working elements of the apparatus are supported by the intermediate and top plates, 21 and 36 respectively.

STACKING AND SEPARATING DEVICES Referring now to FIGS. 3 to 6, a stacking device is provided on each of the plates 38. Each plate 38 includes an opening 43 permitting passage of a stack 46 of quarter sections therethrough. The stacks 46 both face upwardly, with the bottom edges 5 facing the rear of the apparatus, and with the back edge 7 facing the center of the apparatus. Each stack 46 is placed on top of a feed blade or disc which will be defined later, on which the stack rests in a plane inclined at approximately 5 from the horizontal toward the back of the apparatus. The stacking device includes a plurality of pins or wires 50 which extend upwardly from spaced apart points about the periphery of the opening 45. The shape of the front edge of the opening is defined by pins and a plate 52 which closely define the shape of the top and back edges of the quarter sections to ensure that there is very little play of the sections in the stacking device. The bottom end of each wire 50 is connected to the plate 52 having an inclined upper surface 53. The wires 50 could be replaced with a sheet metal frame or magazine approximating the shape of the top and back edges of the quarter sections. The plate 52 is replaceable with another pin bearing plate, so that different sizes of quarter sections can be handled by the apparatus. The stacking device is inclined slightly to facilitate feeding of the sections 1 and 2 to the separating device.

The quarter sections 1 and 2 supplied to this operation already have the reinforcing strips 8 on the front of lacing edges 9 (i.e., the edges for receiving the lace eyelets of the finished quarter). The reinforcing strips are of the same thickness and are the same material as the body of the quarter sections 1 and 2, and thus the sections 1 and 2 will not stack flat. As explained hereinbelow, separation of the quarter sections 1 and 2 from the stacks 46 is effected from the single thickness, bottom edges 5 of the sections and, in order that these edges lie together for a sufficient thickness of stack to permit efficient feeding, it is necessary to have a constant but adjustable pressure on top of the stack. This pressure is provided by weights 55 (see FIG. 5)

replaceably mounted on the bottom end of a screw 56, which is connected to one arm 58 of a generally L- shaped bracket 59. The bracket 59 is slidably mounted on a post 62 extending upwardly from the top plate 36, and is guided on the post 62 by a vertical pin 63, which fits into a notch 65 on a second arm 66 of the bracket 59. The pin 63 is also secured to the top plate 52. Alternatively, pressure on the stacks 46 could be supplied by a device using a negator type spring, i.e., a spring having no gradient, but providing a constant force regardless of the length. The front edge of each of the stacks 46 is supported by an arcuate plate 68, which is pivotally mounted on the ends of curved rods 69 for rotation with a block 71. The block 71 is securely mounted on a rotatable rod 73, which is connected through linkage 74 to a pneumatic cylinder 75 for rotating the plate 68 about the longitudinal axis of the rod 73.

With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the quarter sections 1 and 2, are separated, one at a time, from the stacks 46 by two separating devices, generally indicated at 78. 7

Each separating device 78 is mounted on a support frame 79, including a base plate 80, a top plate 81 and posts 82, located at the rear of the plate 38. Each of the separating devices 78 is mounted on a stand 84 including a front plate 85, a base plate 86 and a brace 87. extending between thefront and base plates. An electric motor 90, coupled through a gear box 92 to a driven shaft 93, provides the drive of the separating device. A generally triangular cam 94 is mounted on the shaft 93 for closing the spring contact 95 of a limit switch 96 on the plate 85 to indicate the completion of one revolution of the shaft 93 and to stop the motor 90. The shaft 93 is connected to another shaft 97 by a coupling 98. The shaft 97 extends downwardly through a cylindrical bearing housing 99 on the frame 79, and through the frame 79 and a bushing 101 rotatably supporting a hub 102 of a pressure blade 103. The bushing 101, and consequently the hub 102, are keyed on the shaft 95 by a pin 104 projecting through an opening 105 in the bushing 101. The blade 103 defines a section of a disc and is provided with knife edges 106 and 108, one on each side of a leading point 109, for penetrating a stack 46 of quarter sections. An arcuate cam projection 110 is provided on the hub 102, which projection 110 is engageable by a roller 112 rotatably mounted on the outer end of one arm 114 of an L-shaped support 115. The other arm of the L-shaped support 115 includes a threaded upper end 116 extending through a housing 118 on the frame 79. The height of the roller 112 can be adjusted by rotating a knurled nut 119. A lock nut 120 on top of the housing 118 secures the roller 112 in one position. A separate hub 122 is securely mounted for rotation on the bottom end of the shaft 95, and supports a generally circular feed blade 124. A helical spring 125 extends upwardly from the top of the hub 122 and into an annular opening 127 in the bottom portion of the hub 102,

whereby the hub 102 can be moved up and down relative to the hub 122.

The blade 124 supports a portion of the stack 46, and is in the form of a single flight of a screw conveyor, i.e., in the form of a gently inclined plane or screw, with a leading point 126 overlapping the trailing edge 128 by approximately 40 so that the entire blade 124 covers a sector of approximately 400. The leading point 126 of the blade 124 is elevated above the trailing edge 128 by approximately the thickness of one quarter section 1 or 2, and is provided with bevelled edges 130 and 131 flaring rearwardly, in the direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the blade, at about 45. Thus, the leading point 126 which is higher than the rest of the blade 124 by an amount approximately equal to the thickness of a quarter section 1 or 2 at the bottom edge 5 thereof, can engage the bottom of the stack 46, and

' interpose itself between the lowermost quarter section and the next section. The point 126 enters first and is followed by'the entire leading edge, which spreads out in both directions (spear-like).-To ensure that the leading point 126 enters the stack 46 precisely between the lowermost quarter section and the next superjacent quarter section, the leading point 126 is normally slightly higher than necessary to make the precise entry into the stack 46, but is passed under a cam roller 134 similar to the roller 112. The roller 134 is adjusted by rotating a knurled nut 138. The roller 134 is closely controlled by a micrometer screw 140, whereby the leading point 126 of the blade 124 is depressed to precisely the correct height to engage the stack 46 accurately.

Before the leading point 126 of the feed blade 124 enters the stack 46, the leading point 109 of the blade 103, which precedes the point 126 by approximately 45 in the direction of rotation of the blades 103 and 124, enters the stack 46 at a point about 10 to 12 quarter sections above the blade 124. As the blade 103 rotates, it is pressed down against the action of the spring as the roller 112 rides up onto the cam projection 110 on the hub 102. Thus a steady uniform pressure is entered against the feed blade 124 by the pressure blade 103, against which pressure the feed wheel 124 can make its slice.

As the blade 124 passes further into the stack 46, the roller 112 rides down the trailing end of the cam projection 115, thus decreasing the pressure on the stack 46. The pressure on the point 126 of the blade 124 by the roller 134 has also been reduced, and the point 126 rises to open the gap between the lowermost and superjacent quarter sections. As the feed blade 124 passes further around in the stack 46, that part of the quarter section 1 which is reinforced by the strip 8 becomes closer to the point 126, and by the time the strip 8 is apt to cause any interference in passing by the feeding slot, the slot has opened far enough to permit easy passage of the quarter section 1.

During each feeding operation, both separating devices 78 are simultaneously activated. Each feed blade 124 makes one complete revolution, which causes the point 126 to enter the stack 46 to engage one quarter section l'or 2 from each stach 46, and to separate the quarter sections 1 and 2 from the stacks. Obviously, since each blade 124 is in the form of one flight of a screw conveyor, one quarter section will be separated from each stack 46 during each revolution of the blade 124. Since only that segment of the blade 124 between the hub of the blade and its periphery is used to support the stack 124, the arcuate plate 68 acts as an auxiliary support for the stackd 46. After the passage of each wheel 124 through the stacks 46, the pneumatic cylinders 75 are actuated to swing the plates 68 downwardly and away from the stacks 46 to permit the quarter sections 1 and 2 to fall. The remaining quarter sections are constrained from the separated sections 1 and 2 by the blades 124, which are now stationary. The plates 68 are then returned to support the front edges of the stacks 46. A limit switch (not shown) can be mounted beside each of the stacks 46, with a spring contact engaging the stacks 46 for closing when the point 46 have reached a low level. The switch can be part of a system of producing an audioor visual signal.

CONVEYING DEVICE AND MONITORING SYSTEM The quarter sections 1 and 2, separated from the stacks 46, fall into a conveyor in the form of a generally Y-shaped chute 145. The upper ends 147 of each of the arms of the chute are connected to the cross bars 35, and thus the chute 145 depends from the cross bars 35. The chute 145 is formed with unitary front and rear walls 148 and 149, which are interconnected by bases 151 and 152. Each of the bases 151 and 152 extends downwardly and inwardly from one side of the apparatus at an angle of approximately 47 from the vertical. This angle is not critical, but, since the chute 145 is a gravity feed device for the quarter sections 1 and 2,

the slope of the bases 151 and 152 should be sufficiently steep to ensure rapid conveying of the quarter sections. The top surface 154 of each of the bases 151 and 152 is coated with a plastic, for example, Teflon (a registered trademark for polytetrafluoroethylene products) to facilitate feeding of the quarter sections 1 and 2. A color monitoring station 155 is provided in each slope of the chute 145. The monitoring stations include a pneumatic cylinder 156 secured to the bottom surface of each of a base 151 and 152 of the chute 45. A cylinder rod 158 projects out of the upper ends of each of the cylinders 156 and through an opening in each of the bases 151 or 152. The rods 158 can be inserted through the openings in the base or retracted by actuating the cylinders 156.

The color monitoring stations also include a conventional color monitor device 160. Each color monitor device 160 is designed to ensure that the two quarter sections 1 and 2 fed from the stacks 46 are matched, i.e., to ensure that the sections 1 and 2 are the same color and that they have their top or outer surfaces 3 facing upwardly. As mentioned, the color. monitor device 160 is conventional, and is used for many purposes, such as matching points, fabrics and even inspecting diamonds.

The color monitor device 160 is in the form of a color,-photoelectric searching head including an incan descent lamp which is focused to shine through one of four selected color filters which can be presented alternatively through a turret selector 162. Light from the light source shines through the filter on each head, identical filters always being used together in. the devices 160, is reflected from the workpiece and is picked up by an annular photo voltaic cell, which surrounds the opening through which the filtered light shines on the quarter section. Thus, a voltage is produced on the cell comparably to its net illumination, based on the color of the filter and the color of the reflecting surface. the Four different filter selections are employed which are standard in photoelectric work. The selections are pale green, amber, blue and colorless. The outer surfaces 3 of the quarter sections 1 and 2 have a characteristic reflectivity, since the light is modified by each color filter. Selections of sample quarter sections likely to be worked together, i.e., sequentially, show considerable range of reflection values under one color filter, and very little range under another filter. By suitable tests, the widest differences in response between mismatched sections can be selected in the ranges likely to be mismatched in the particular operation involved. The most likely mismatch is that which occurs when one quarter section is upside down, i.e., with its outer surface facing the upper surface 154 of the base 151 or 152. Another likely mismatch is when one of the quarter sections 1 or 2 fails to feed, and one photo head is looking at a piece of material, while the other is looking at the surface 154 of the base 151 or 152 of the chute 145. By carefully arranging appropriate filters, it is possible to provide distinctions between all sample quarter sections normally used to make quarters. The type of photocell used, i.e., the photo voltaic type, is chosen because, when used in conjunction with an incandescent light, its response most nearly compares to that of the human eye with respect to color.

In operation, voltage signals from the two photoelec tric heads are electronically applied to the two sides of a comparison bridge (e.g. a wheatstone bridge), which compares the voltages to determine whether there is any discrepancy therebetween. The output reading is by way of a comparison voltmeter, which shows the ex tent and direction of discrepancy between the voltages discovered by the to heads in comparison which, in this case, serve as indices of the quarter section colors. The meter is provided with photoelectric read-out signals which can be adjusted to various limits in both directions so that if such limits are exceeded in either direction a common signal will be provided. Thus, each time the pins 158 stop a quarter section in the chute 145, a timing circuit (described hereinafter) is turned on to enable the electronic reading and comparing described above. If there is relatively little movement of the differentiating voltmeter, indicating relatively little difference between the two input voltages, no action takes place, i.e., the quarter section or sections is not rejected. However, if either voltage exceeds the other by a predetermined amount, a signal is delivered to alter the automation sequence of the. apparatus, i.e., the quarter section (s) is rejected.

In addition to the general color monitor signal, it is necessary to have another monitoring signal to indicate the condition when neither component of the assembly is fed. In this case, the two color monitor devices 160 are both exposed to two more or less similarly colored surfaces 154 of the bases 151 and 152 of the chute 145. Thus, the same signal will be registered, and it appears that there is a color match. In order to signal this condition, a further photocell (not shown) is provided above the base 152 of one arm of the chute 145 for operation by a light source 164 disposed beneath the base 152. The light from light source 164 is not filtered or sensitive to color but merely registers occlusion. If there is a quarter section on the base 152, the light is occluded and no signal results, If, on the other hand, there is no component on the base 152, a signal results which acts in parallel with the color monitor devices 160 to give a fault signal into the automatic sequence. In the event that a quarter section is present on base 151, with no section on base 152, the color difference between the quarter section and the empty base 152 will register on the color monitor as a fault signal. Thus, only one photocell is necessary. As soon as sufficient time has elapsed from the arrival of the samples under the photoheads 160 for the color comparison to have been made and registered, the two pins 158 are retracted to permit the quarter sections to slide downwardly and inwardly to a gauge 165. Thus, the lower ends 167 of the bases 151 and 152 curve downwardly and inwardly to spaced apart vertical planes. The low ends 167 are separated by a vertically disposed vane 169, which extends between the front and rear walls, 148 and 149 respectively of the chute 145. The vane 169 is formed by two sheets of metal, and is provided with a flaring bottom edge 171 for deflecting the quarter sections 1 and 2 as they leave the chute 145.

GAUGE The gauge is normally vertically disposed in an opening 166 in the plate 21 directly beneath the open 4 bottom end 172 of the chute 14s for receiving the quarter sections 1 and 2 from the chute. The gauge 165 is in the form of a two compartment flat box having open top and front ends, and closed bottom and rear ends. The gauge 165 including a pair of spaced apart side walls 174 and 175, with a partition 177 therebetween. The side walls 174 and 175 flare slightly outwardly towards their upper ends to ensure that the quarter sections enter the compartments. Spacers 176 and 178 are provided between the side walls 174 and 175 and the partition along the bottom and rear edges of the gauge 165. The front edges of each of the spacers 176 and 178 are accurately aligned and define the shape of the rear and bottom edges, 7 and respectively of a quarter section 1 or 2.

The quarter sections 1 and 2 fall into the gauge compartments heel end first. In order to ensure that the sections 1 and 2 are snugly fitted into the gaugecompartments, a pair of air jets 180 are provided above the rear end of the gauge on the vane 169. A second pair of air jets (not shown) are mounted on the front of the bottom end 172 of the chute 145 for blowing air downwardly toward the rear of the gauge compartments. The actuation of the air jets is timed to jet air against the quarter sections 1 and 2 just as the sections are arriving at their gauge position so that the sections will flutter, be completely free to move downwardly and will settle solidly against the spacers 176 and 178. Thus, the bottom and rear edges, 5 and 7 respectively of the quarter sections 1 and 2 are accurately aligned or gauged. One side wall 175 of the gauge 165 is provided with a horizontally extending slot 182, and the partition 177 is provided with a similar slot 183 aligned with the slot 182 for a purpose defined hereinafter.

GAUGE TURNING DEVICE The gauge 165 must be rotatable from the vertical to two separate positions, namely (i) a reject position in which the gauge 165 is inclined at about from the vertical, and (ii) a feed position in which the gauge 165 is horizontal for feeding the quarter sections 1 and 2 to the tandem sewing machine. If the color monitoring system indicates reject, the gauge 165 is rotated 20 from the vertical to the reject position. If there is no reject, and the quarter sections 1 and 2 are gauged, the gauge 165 is rotated through 90 to the feed position.

With reference to FIG. 7, the device for turning the gauge 165 through 90 includes a simple rack and pinion drive in a housing 185, the pinion being mounted on a shaft 187 passing through bearings (not shown) in a supporting block 188 to an arbor 190. The arbor 190 is connected to a plate 192 mounted on the rear edge 193 of the gauge 165. The rack of the rack and pinion drive is reciprocated by a pneumatic cylinder 195, the rod of which extends into the housing 185 and 'is connected to one end of the rack. To ensure that the gauge is rotated through 90 each time the cylinder 195 is actuated, a cam 196 is provided on one end 197 of the shaft 187. The cam 196 includes an arcuate projection 198 for closing a contact 199 or 201 of a limit switch 202 or 203, respectively.

The housing 185 for the rack and pinion drive, the cylinder 195 and the limit switches 202 and 203 are all mounted on a platform 205, which is rotatable about the axis of the shaft 187. One end 207 of the platform 205 is held by one arm 208 of a bracket 210, on which is mounted a pneumatic cylinder 212. A rod 213 projecting out of the cylinder 212 extends through the bracket 210 into a plate 214 securely connected to the base of the platform 205 for preventing rotation of the platform 205. One arm 216 of a toggle linkage 218 is connected to the base of a rearward extension 220 of the platform 205. The other arm 221 of the linkage 218 extends downwardly into an open topped box 223 on the base of the plate 21.

A slot 224 permits movement of the arm 221. The bottom end 225 of the arm 221 is slidably mounted in the box 223 by a pin 227, which extends through the bottom end 225 of the arm 221 and elongated slots'229 in the sides of the box 223. Movement of the arm 22] is effected by a cylinder 230 and piston rod 231 which are also mounted on the base of the plate 21. A limit switch 232, mounted on a stand 233 on the plate 21, is provided with a contact 235 for determining the amount by which the platform 205 can rotate about the axis of the shaft 187.

In order to rotate the gauge 165 to a reject position, i.e., through about 20 from the vertical, the rod 213 is withdrawn from the plate 214, and the cylinder 230 is actuated to cause the piston rod 231 to move the arm 221 and thus the linkage 218, thereby rotating the platform 205, the shaft 187, and the gauge 165 through an arc. When the platform 205 closes the switch 232, the piston 231 moves into the cylinder 230, returning the platform 205 and the gauge 165 to their previous positions, i.e., horizontal and vertical, respectively. The rod 213 is then re-inserted in the plate 214 to'lock the platform 205 in position. I

TRANSFER UNIT Assuming that the quarters sections 1 and 2 are properly matched in the gauge 165, they must now be fed out of the gauge 165 into a sewing machine, e.g., a tandem sewing machine. With reference to FIG. 8, transfer of the quarter sections 1 and 2 is achieved using a transfer unit mounted on the plate 21.

The transfer unit includes a motor 240 mounted securely on a block 241 on the plate 21, rearwardly of the chute and near one rear corner of the opening 166. A drive shaft 242 from the motor 240 is coupled to a driven shaft by a coupling 245. The driven shaft is I in the form of a ball bearing screw including a screw 246 extending from the coupling 245 and between parallel arms 248 and 249 of a bracket 250 mounted on the plate 21, the ends of the screw being rotatably mounted in the arms 248 and 249. A nut portion (not shown) of the ball bearing screw is securely mounted on one surface of a generally rectangular block 254, which is provided with a hole 255 through which the screw 246 freely passes. The block 254 is slidably mounted on a pair of guide rods 257, the ends of which are fixedly mounted in the arms 248 and 249 of the bracket 250, whereby the block 254 can reciprocate with the nut 252 of the ball bearing screw between the arms 248 and 249. The block 254 forms part of an element 260 for engaging the quarter sections 1 and 2, and for transferring them to the sewing machine.

The element 260 (see FIG. 9) includes a U-shaped bracket 262 extending around the top, one side and bottom edges of the block 254. An arm 264 extends forwardly from the bottom edge 265 of .the bracket 262. The arm 264 is provided with downwardly projecting pins 267 at its outer end 269 for engaging the quarter sections 1 and 2 and moving them to the sewing machine. The bracket 262 carrying the arm 264 and the pins 267 is vertically reciprocated by a pneumatic cylinder 271 fixedly mounted on the bracket 262, with a piston rod extending downwardly into the block 254. The bracket 262 is guided on the block 254 by rods 274 extending between the top and bottom arms of the bracket 262 through the block 254.

The limits of travel of the element 260 are determined by limit switches 276 (only one shown) mounted on the inner surfaces of the arms 248 and 249 of the bracket 250 for engagement by the block 254. Thus, when the gauge 165 rotates through 90 from the vertical to the horizontal, the cylinder 271 is actuated to sections 1 and 2, which are then released by the pin 267 and engaged by the sewing machine. Since the quarter sections were gauged in the gauge 165 and maintained in their gauged relationship during transfer from the gauge, they are accurately aligned for sewing and undertaping.

ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT AND OPERATION For the sake of simplicity, the electrical circuit and operation of the apparatus are described together. Since most of the operational details have already been described, the remainder of the operation description will, for the most part, be directed to the sequence of steps required to feed, gauge and transfer two quarter sections 1 and 2 to a sewing machine from a pair of stacks on the apparatus.

The circuit shown in FIGS. a to 10e (which are to be read consecutively, with the bottom of FIG. 10a continuing at the top of FIG. 1012, etc.) is in the form of an elementary relay wiring diagram, which may be substituted by a solid state circuit employing integrated circuit chips, either flip-flops, gates or linear integrated circuits for photoelectric amplification, plus accompanying discrete transistors, diodes, etc.

Each of the elements in the circuit of FIGS. 10a to 10c is connected between the lines 300 and 301, which of course are connected to a source of DC power specifically at 24 volts. Since there are two devices for separating quarter sections from the stacks, most of the elements of the circuit controlling separation are in duplicate.

Referring to FIG. 10a, to initiate operation of the apparatus a push button 302 is actuated momentarily to pulse the contact relay 304 initiating the feeding of the quarter sections 1 and 2. This initiating pulse for feeding is subsequently supplied continuously by the closing and reopening of relay 320 described in FIG. 10b, and

this continuity is provided by closing the automation switch 303, the opening of which causes the machine to stop-feeding and therefore to cease operation at the end of its current cycle.

Provision is made at this point so that if the rod motion (relay 320) which is later described, and which is the timing center of the automation, is not independently started by its own push button, as shown in FIG. 10b, then it will automatically be started by the starting of the above feed sequence. The secondary start for the rod, here shown, is provided by the action of a multipulse timer which is part of the feeding cycle. Contact E of the multipulse timer actuates relay 331 which is interlocked on relay 320, the control relay of the rod cycle. If the rod cycle follows in proper sequence, therefore, relay 331 will be locked up for a short duration only. Relay 331 operates a timer (332) which is set for a longer time than the cyclical lock up of relay 331 so that in the event that a feed takes place and is not promptly succeeded by a rod sequence, 332 will then timeout and will initiate a rod sequence as shown on the FIG. 10b. This is a safety feature which is only used in the above combination of circumstances. The automatic action is such that as soon as the rods 158 complete their stroke, i.e., release the quarter sections 1 and 2 for travel either to a reject bin or into the gauge and have been released to return to their initial position in the chute 145, each feed blade 124 makes one complete revolution to feed one quarter section from each stack. The release of relay 320, the central relay of the rod sequence, provides a pulse on relay 304 which simultaneously actuates the two relays 305, each of which locks on its limit switch 96 until this indicates that the blade 124 has made one complete revolution. Each relay 305 actuates its armature 307 of the DC motor 90, causing it to run until the relay 305 is deenergized and is stopped rapidly by dynamic braking. The same action occurs with each of the two motors 90, and

thus the elements of the circuit for controlling the motiming clock on multipulse timer 310, which is inter locked on one of its own contacts (A) so 'as to make one complete revolution each time it is energized by a pulse from relay 304. The first timed action of the clock 310 is provided by a contact B to enable operation of the photoelectric color monitoring device 160. As mentioned, this is a commercial device, the circuit of which is not shown. Input is by the enable switch, and output is provided by two error signals. The action of the contact B is arranged to occur just as the two quarter sections 1 and 2 arrive under the devices 160, being stopped there by the rods 158. The duration of the clock signal is sufficient to permit the photoelectric comparator to come into balance, make a voltage comparison, and apply the difference voltage, if any, to the differential meter, which then makes contact on one of its points if there is a sufficient difference to make a mismatch. When this happens, the contact closes and locks a contact relay 311, which is locked on a timer 319. The timer 319 is the last stage of action of the reject sequence. Simultaneous with contact B, clock contact C also closes which, in series with photoswi-tch 313, also'closes the fault relay 311 if the cell is illuminated. ln mechanical terms, if no quarter section is fed from either stack, it appears to the color comparator that there is a match, when in fact there are no sections in the chute 145.

In the event of (a) a fault, i.e., mismatching of quarter sections or absence of quarter sections, or (b) a matching of quarter sections 1 and 2, the sequential actions of the apparatus are as follows:

In the event of a fault, the relay 311 immediately operates a contact relay 315 which locks on timer 316 which is also actuated by contact relay 314. The contact relay 315 directly operates the air cylinder 212, which withdraws the latch rod 213 permitting fault or reject operation of the gauge 165 to occur. The reason that the lock is placed on this operation is that the precise action of the alternative mode of operation, i.e.,

operation of the cylinder 195 to bring the matched quarter sections into the horizontal transfer position is important. The fault or reject action should seldom occur. By locking the reject action and positively preventing it from turning, the possibility of the transfer action being faulty due to misalignment is minimized. The du ration of the timer 316 is such that after the rod 213 is withdrawn, then as soon as the gauge 165 reverts to its normal position, as will immediately be described, causing an action of relay 320, then, if relay 31 1 is closed, the series contact closes relay 314 which locks up on timer 316. Timer 316 times out, which breaks the interlock on relay 314, releasing 314 and at the same time breaks the interlock on relay 315.

Relay 314 provides switch points for timers 316, 318 and 319, which provides the signals to advance and retract the piston rod 231, i.e., the signals to rotate the gauge 165 through to a reject position, whereby the faulty quarter section or sections 318 actuates the single valve coil of the air cylinder 230 and would hold it on for the duration of contact relay 314, but the timer 319 breaks the signal, permitting the valve to reclose and the rod 231 to return. A short time later, the valve 315 is deenergized, and the latch 213 is restored.

During the course of this sequence timer 219 is actuated which breaks the interlock on relay 311, and erases the fault signal which by now has performed its function. If, however, a fresh set of components in the gauge 165 indicates another fault, the relay 311 will be re-energized and the signal will apply to the next assembly.

The normal movement of the gauge 165 between a vertical and horizontal position is controlled as follows.

'After the rods 158 have operated to drop the quarter sections 1 and 2 into the gauge 165 or into a scrap bin, then on retract, limit switch 232, or 202, one of which was disengaged and left open by the action, will close, and the change in position from open to closed will initiate a timed pulse which in either event will momentarily actuate relay 320. The action from relay 320 is slightly delayed as relay 320 initiates a timer 321, of a period substantially shorter than the length of the pulse on 320. This delay permits sufficient time to elapse for the quarter sections 1 and 2 to settle into the gauge 165. When the time has run out, subject to relay 311 not being actuated, i.e., that the quarter sections 1 and 2 were properly aligned, a contact relay 322, which through the air cylinder lapplies the normal 90 motion to the gauge 165, is actuated and locked on contact relay 323. The contact relay 323 is a signal indicating that the transfer sequence for the gauge sections is complete. The relay 320, on closing, provides another pulse, subject to relay 311 not being actuated, i.e., subject to the quarter sections having passed inspection, and this pulse isapplied to a timer 324 of very brief settings. The timer 324 rings out and actuates an air valve 325 (not shown in the mechanical portion of the drawings) which causes the air jets 180, etc., to blow for a time based on the duration of the pulse generated by the closing of relay 320.

The speed of the operation of the apparatus-is, to a large extent, determined by the relay 320. Because of the necessary dwell at the color monitoring location in the chute 145, the sequence of operation is divided into two parts, so that the return of the rods 158 to their normal positions in the chute is the signal which triggers a new feeding cycle. This means that a second pair of quarter sections 1 and 2 are feeding while the previous pair of sections, having been deposited in the reject bin or the gauge 165, are going through their own sequences. The relay 320 is triggered either by a pulse from the limit switch 202, which indicates that teh gauge has returned to its vertical position and is prepared to receive a new pair of quarter sections 1 and 2, or by a pulse from the limit switch 232, which indicates that the reject motion of the gauge 165 has been completed and the gauge has returned to the vertical.

Since the reject motion is quick, there is some chance of it getting out of time, so the pulse signals are held over from entering the relay 320 until a signal comes from clock 310, contact D to indicate the current color monitoring operation is finished, and that the quarter sections 1 and 2 are available either to be dropped into the reject bin or made into a quarter. These input signals are also conditioned by a switch 326, the opening of which will prevent any further pulse on relay 320, and is the correct way to stop the automation sequence, leaving two quarter sections 1 and 2 in position under the monitoring photocells and available for the next assembly. I

To accompany the closing switch 326 there is also a push button start at this station (302A) which is the normal starting signal for the machine, and also causes the feeds to start in sequence. An alternative start has already beenreferred to.

The action of the clock 310 can be summarized as follows: The A contact causes the clock 310 to make one complete revolution each time it is actuated. The B contact serves to enable the color monitor circuit starting from a time when the two quarter sections 1 and 2 have arrived in front of the color monitoring devices 160, and has a duration sufficiently long to register a fault on the relay 311, if one exists. The C contact is in series with the photocell 313, which provides the alternative fault signal previously described to indicate that no part has been fed into the chute 145. The D contact regulates the normal operation of the relay 320, either from the switch 202, which indicates that the gauge 165 has returned to the vertical after its delivery, or from the switch 232 which indicates completion of a reject sequence. The contact E is the special starting signal described above.

Subsequent to the action of the air cylinder 195, i.e., when this cylinder effects the 90 turning of the gauge 165 from the vertical to the horizontal, the limit switch 203 is closed to provide a pulse to two timers 334 and 335. One timer 334, upon closing, locks'a relay 336, which actuates the air cylinder 271 to drop the pins 267 of the transfer unit, securing the two matching quarter sections 1 and 2. This lock is released by the relay 323 which indicates the end of the transfer action. A contact relay 337 also initiates the timer 335 which operates a relay 338 which turns on the speed controlled reversible motor 240 to operate the transfer unit. The motor 240 is a commercial shunt wound DC motor, which is speed controlled through a transistor circuit effected through several control potentiameters in parallel, each one set to provide a pre-determined speed, and in which the reversing mechanism is through a conventional double pole, double throw relay control (see FIG. d). The motor 240 is started and stopped with a conventional dynamic braking control. The feed is selected by a choice of two potentiometers. Since this is a commercially available motor, only the inputs of the control elements are shown.

The logic for the operation on the relay 338 which controls the starting and stopping of the motor 240, i.e., the transfer motion, starts with the signal from the points of timer 335. The motor runs continuously throughout each stroke, first in a forward or transfer direction, and then in a reverse direction until stopped in its normal course by the limit switch 276. The relay 338 is interlocked on the contact relay 341 and also on a limit switch 277 indicating the extreme forward end of the stroke. This is a safety switch, and should not normally be actuated. If the block 254 strikes the switch 277, the motor stops, and will have to be restarted by a push button 340, and two interlock breaks, one for relay 341, actuated by switch 276, and the other the emergency stop, the limit switch 277. The reversing sequence for the motor 240 is by relay 342, a conditioned holding circuit with the drive line to the relay and the interlock line, both feeding through relay 341 which marks the return/retract or home position signalled by the limit switch 276. The driver line is actuated by relay 323 which marks the release of the assembly after transfer, the reversing point of the transfer block 254 when it is moving toward, but has not reached limit switch 277. This means that when the block 254 starts out, the relay 342 is not actuated, but, on a signal from the contact relay 323, it closes, reversing the motor, and holds until the block 254 is back to the limit switch 276 at which the lock is broken, and themotor stops and turns forward. The limit switch 276 directly operates the relay 341. The motor 240 is operated at two speeds indicated by potentiometers 344 and 345. The reversing relay is a contact relay 342. When 342 is actuated the motor is in reverse and potentiometer 344 for fast speed is controlling. When 342 is not actuated the motor is forward and choice of potentiometers depends on relay 346. If it is not actuated then potentiometer for highspeed is connected. When it is actuated, however, in conjunction with the forward direction of the motor, potentiometer 345 is connected for low speed. The relay 346 signifies the logic condition at which the motor should be at low speed, that is, in the immediate approach of the sewing machine, which abuts against the leading In short, as the preceding quarter sections clear and illuminate the light and the succeeding assembly'occludes the light, a signal is generated which remains until the termination of the forward stroke of the transfer.

The sequence indicating the actual transfer will now be described. The photocell 360 is located on the first sewing machine, approximately one inch from the nee dle, and close to the line of stitching. The gauged quarter sections 1 and 2, i.e., an assembly, normally follow each other with a slight gap between assemblies, depending on the timing and speed coordination of the transfer unit. When the leading edge of a new assembly occludes the photocell 360, a new sewing machine cycle is started to produce another stitch pattern. A pulse at the instant the photocell 360 is occluded closes relay 361 which is locked up on a timer 362. The timer 362 in turn is operated by the inverted pulse from the same photoswitch signal, i.e., at the instant of reillumination, which occurs at the conclusion of stitching the assembly. The inverted pulse initiates the timer 362 which very shortly afterwards times out and gives a signal to break relay 361. The relay 361, as will be shown below, controls the operation of the first sewing machine, which therefore starts on the instant of occlusion of the light by the fresh assembly and continues until a short time after the illumination of the cell as the assembly passes.

Since the two sewing machines have a common tandem drive, the starting and stopping of the second sewing machine is synchronous with that of the first. The duration of operation of both sewing machines is slightly longer than the time required by them to make one precise stitching pattern, but this is accounted for by the extra length of stitching to accommodate the tape which is intermediate the two adjacent sections. This time, and the resulting stitching length is adjusted by the timer 362. The relay 361 operates a relay 363, which operates the clutch 365 and the brake 366 of the stitching motor of the sewing machine. The relay 361 also operates a timer 367, which starts at the time the relay 361 starts, and applies a pulse to indicate the end of the transfer stroke at relay 323. The relay 323 instantly releases the transfer tool by removing the pins 267, and simultaneously reverses the motor 240 and restores it to full speed through relay 342 so that the 'motor 240 moves the block 254 back fast for receiving another assembly from the gauge 165. The relay 323 also breaks the lock on the relay 322 which is holding the gauge 165 in its vertical position. This, in turn, actuates the rods 158 in the chute through the pulsing of the limit switch 202, and the actuation of the rods 158 immediately initiates a fresh feed of quarter sections, and a moment later recycles the gauge and the transfer unit.

Should a fresh assembly (pair of quarter sections) be missing or otherwise fail to occlude the photocell 360, the sewing machine will not start. The action of relay 323 will also not occur, and as a result the transfer unit will run into its safety stop, i.e., the block 254 will run into the limit switch 276. Push buttons reverse and restart the motor 240.

Since the rods 158 in the chute 145 will not re-open under normal operation until the gauge 165 is vertical, as indicated by the limit switch 202, any interference with the relay 323 will prevent further cycling of the machine.

In FIG. 100 the point of contact relay 370 is shown in parallel with the interlock break of relay 323 on relay 322. The relay 370 is a general trouble-relay which can be connected with any signal'arising in the action of the tandem sewing machine which indicates a jam or potential jam on the stitching system. Two unconsigned switches are shown in FIG. c to make up this relay 370, also an interlock action and a push button 371 for release. If this signal is actuated, it permits completion of the then working transfer stroke to a point where the quarter sections are released, but by holding in the interlock on the relay 322, it inhibits the return of the air cylinder 195 to its normal or vertical position, and thereby inhibits the action of the rods 158 and the chute 145. This, in turn, inhibits feed action. In normal operation, a good assembly (pair of quarter sections 1 and 2) will be standing in the color monitor section of the machine at this point. When the trouble is cleared up, and relay 370 is released by push button 371, the relay 322 will be released by a parallel push button 362, air cylinder 195 will return to its normal position, and the action will continue.

We claim:

1. An apparatus for matching and feeding stitchable components to a sewing machine where the components are stitched together in the process to form an article, e. g., shoes, said apparatus comprising a. means for retaining separate stacks of individual stitchable components;

b. at least one separating device including a rotary member for separating said individual components, one at a time, from the bottom of each said stack;

c. a monitor system for making a color comparison of said components after separation from said stacks;

(1. gauge means for aligning said components after color comparison;

e. conveyor means for carrying said components from said stacking means to said monitor system and to said gauge means;

f. means for transferring said aligned components from said gauge means to said' sewing machine; and means to synchronize at least the operations in (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) in a sequence.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, including reject means for rejecting any stitchable components indicated as faulty in the color comparison stage of said components in said monitor system.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein each said rotary member includes a feed blade for supporting a stack of said components and for feeding one said component to said monitor system each time said feed blade is rotated through one revolution; said separatin device including drive means for rotating said fee blade and means for stopping the feed blade after each revolution.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said feed blade is generally helically-shaped, and wherein said stacking means further including pressure means superposed in each said stack for ensuring that said components are fed separately one at a time.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said means for stopping said feed blade includes a cam mounted on said drive means, and a limit switch engage'able by said cam during each revolution of said feed blade to stop said drive means.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said conveyor means includes a chute, said chute including two slopes for receiving two varieties of components from two of said stacking means and feeding said components to said monitoring system and gauge.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said monitoring system includes a monitoring station on each slope of said chute; and photoelectric elements for inspecting each component arriving at said station.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said gauge means comprises a container having a number of aligned compartments equal to a number of the variety of components for receiving said components from said conveyor means.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said reject means includes means for moving said gauge from a component receiving position to a reject position, whereby the component or components monitored and indicated faulty are rejected.

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said transfer means includes a pin element for engaging said components after being aligned in said gauge means, and means for moving said pin element and components to said sewing machine.

11. A method of matching and feeding stitchable components to a sewing machine where the components are stitched together in the process to form an article, e. g., shoes, said method comprising the steps of:

a. arranging and retaining said components in separate stacks; mechanically separating said components, one at a time, from each said stack;

c. photoelectrically comparing said components on conveyors to ensure that the components are of the required colour;

mechanically aligning components which are to be stitched, aftersaid photoelectric comparison; and e. mechanically feeding the aligned components for sewing, in the process to form the article. 

1. An apparatus for matching and feeding stitchable components to a sewing machine where the components are stitched together in the process to form an article, e.g., shoes, said apparatus comprising a. means for retaining separate stacks of individual stitchable components; b. at least one separating device including a rotary member for separating said individual components, one at a time, from the bottom of each said stack; c. a monitor system for making a color comparison of said components after separation from said stacks; d. gauge means for aligning said components after color comparison; e. conveyor means for carrying said components from said stacking means to said monitor system and to said gauge means; f. means for transferring said aligned components from said gauge means to said sewing machine; and g. means to synchronize at least the operations in (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) in a sequence.
 2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, including reject means for rejecting any stitchable components indicated as faulty in the color comparison stage of said components in said monitor system.
 3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein each said rotary member includes a feed blade for supporting a stack of said components and for feeding one said component to said monitor system each time said feed blade is rotated through one revolution; said separating device including drive means for rotating said feed blade and means for stopping the feed blade after each revolution.
 4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said feed blade is generally helically-shaped, and wherein said stacking means further including pressure means superposed in each said stack for ensuring that said components are fed separately one at a time.
 5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said means for stopping said feed blade includes a cam mounted on said drive means, and a limit switch engageable by said cam during each revolution of said feed blade to stop said drive means.
 6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said conveyor means includes a chute, said chute including two slopes for receiving two varieties of components from two of said stacking means and feeding said components to said monitoring system and gauge.
 7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said monitoring system includes a monitoring station on each slope of said chute; and photoelectric elements for inspecting each component arriving at said station.
 8. An apparatus aS claimed in claim 1, wherein said gauge means comprises a container having a number of aligned compartments equal to a number of the variety of components for receiving said components from said conveyor means.
 9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said reject means includes means for moving said gauge from a component receiving position to a reject position, whereby the component or components monitored and indicated faulty are rejected.
 10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said transfer means includes a pin element for engaging said components after being aligned in said gauge means, and means for moving said pin element and components to said sewing machine.
 11. A method of matching and feeding stitchable components to a sewing machine where the components are stitched together in the process to form an article, e.g., shoes, said method comprising the steps of: a. arranging and retaining said components in separate stacks; b. mechanically separating said components, one at a time, from each said stack; c. photoelectrically comparing said components on conveyors to ensure that the components are of the required colour; d. mechanically aligning components which are to be stitched, after said photoelectric comparison; and e. mechanically feeding the aligned components for sewing, in the process to form the article. 